Mary, Queen of Scots Biography

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Biography:

The passing of her dad, which happened only days after her arrival, place Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne in 1542. Forced to abdicate by Scottish aristocrats in 1567, Mary sought the protection of England’s Queen Elizabeth I, who instead had her detained. Mary spent the rest of her life in captivity until her 1587 execution. Her dad died when Mary was just 6 days old, making her Mary, Queen of Scots.

Given Mary’s age, her great uncle, Henry VIII, made a play for management, but her mom ended up acting as regent on Mary’s benefit. Mary was initially betrothed to Henry VIII’s son, Prince Edward of England, but Scottish Catholics objected to the strategy, as England had split in the Catholic Church. When the match was annulled, England assaulted Scotland in raids that became known as “The Rough Wooing.” Mary’s mother was French, as well as the Scots had a longstanding alliance with France, so Mary was betrothed to the 4-year old French heir. In the age of 5, Mary was sent to France, where she grew up in the luxury French court. In 1558, she married Francis, the oldest son of French King Henry II and Catherine de Medicis.